Debating chopping in the daily
Discussion
About a year ago i went all "ECO." I purchased a 2005 Mk6 Fiesta 1.4 TDCI.
Its been a great little runner. Parts are cheap, its cheap to run blah blah. Over the year though i went from "LOOK HOW MUCH IM SAVING" to walking out my front door, looking it up and down, and going... "Ill take the S4"
I loathe driving it. Its uncomfortable (I have no where to rest my left arm so i drive hugging the passenger seat?!) It rattles, it knocks, its noisy so much so that i cant hear the Mrs talking to me at 60mph. Its also not that economical. Im averaging about 42 at the moment (albeit the back end of winter) but compared to the book of 64 im very depressed at that. It doesnt do any better on a run either, as it revs its nuts off over 50mph. Which leads me to the last point: I didnt buy it for tyre bursting speed, but i doubt it would even pull my foreskin back. Around town its acceptable, but on the parkways, motorways etc it really does struggle to get upto speed.
Its let me down twice recently, needing repairs. Couple that with the fact its boneshakingly hateful to drive i have been debating about chopping it in for something more reliable, still diesel, just a bit bigger and comfier. With cruise control and some nice comforts too. Maybe a slightly bigger engine to help with the power issue, 2.0 TDI something.
I've been browsing ebay at work, i know it should be banned, its how i bought the S4, the S55 and the Dodge Ram as well (what a 8 ft x 14ft mistake that was!!!) and i've never even thought about LPG. Lets face it modern diesels suffer from lots of problems. DPF's etc and the fuel is more expensive.
I know its a ball ache getting it serviced etc. But there is an LPG station near me that has stayed at a constant 56ppl for the last few years. Ive figured out that a 20mpg LPG car will yield the same cost as the fiesta currently, so anything above is a bonus.
The good news is a modern diesel is quite pricey holding their value, but a nice LPG converted vehicle is pennies in comparison. I am being a bit naughty and have been looking at P38 rangeys for ultimate comfort / waft - but i have a fear of the horror electrics / air suspension stories.
Id also prefer an auto. What are peoples collective thoughts on LPG vs diesel? And if LPG, what vehicle would be good and is a common conversion?
Its been a great little runner. Parts are cheap, its cheap to run blah blah. Over the year though i went from "LOOK HOW MUCH IM SAVING" to walking out my front door, looking it up and down, and going... "Ill take the S4"
I loathe driving it. Its uncomfortable (I have no where to rest my left arm so i drive hugging the passenger seat?!) It rattles, it knocks, its noisy so much so that i cant hear the Mrs talking to me at 60mph. Its also not that economical. Im averaging about 42 at the moment (albeit the back end of winter) but compared to the book of 64 im very depressed at that. It doesnt do any better on a run either, as it revs its nuts off over 50mph. Which leads me to the last point: I didnt buy it for tyre bursting speed, but i doubt it would even pull my foreskin back. Around town its acceptable, but on the parkways, motorways etc it really does struggle to get upto speed.
Its let me down twice recently, needing repairs. Couple that with the fact its boneshakingly hateful to drive i have been debating about chopping it in for something more reliable, still diesel, just a bit bigger and comfier. With cruise control and some nice comforts too. Maybe a slightly bigger engine to help with the power issue, 2.0 TDI something.
I've been browsing ebay at work, i know it should be banned, its how i bought the S4, the S55 and the Dodge Ram as well (what a 8 ft x 14ft mistake that was!!!) and i've never even thought about LPG. Lets face it modern diesels suffer from lots of problems. DPF's etc and the fuel is more expensive.
I know its a ball ache getting it serviced etc. But there is an LPG station near me that has stayed at a constant 56ppl for the last few years. Ive figured out that a 20mpg LPG car will yield the same cost as the fiesta currently, so anything above is a bonus.
The good news is a modern diesel is quite pricey holding their value, but a nice LPG converted vehicle is pennies in comparison. I am being a bit naughty and have been looking at P38 rangeys for ultimate comfort / waft - but i have a fear of the horror electrics / air suspension stories.
Id also prefer an auto. What are peoples collective thoughts on LPG vs diesel? And if LPG, what vehicle would be good and is a common conversion?
Edited by Palmers on Monday 23 March 16:23
It really all depends on what sort of mileage your doing?
But at the end of the day, once you've calculated the difference between covering said mileage in a super eco boring diesel versus an ear to ear smile mega fun petrol car, you can then ask yourself, is the extra cash worth it?
Been there, done that, bounced between a Golf TDi and an S5, and then S5 won, well, until I swapped it for a Lexus RX that is. But I'm not covering moon miles, and the difference to me, is well worth smiling from ear to ear as I drive
But at the end of the day, once you've calculated the difference between covering said mileage in a super eco boring diesel versus an ear to ear smile mega fun petrol car, you can then ask yourself, is the extra cash worth it?
Been there, done that, bounced between a Golf TDi and an S5, and then S5 won, well, until I swapped it for a Lexus RX that is. But I'm not covering moon miles, and the difference to me, is well worth smiling from ear to ear as I drive
Palmers said:
Id also prefer an auto. What are peoples collective thoughts on LPG vs diesel? And if LPG, what vehicle would be good and is a common conversion?
I have an auto LPG Hyundai i40/Sonata as a company car. It's factory (I live in Korea). It's alright, drives like a 1.6 petrol, gets about 250 miles to the tank. Boring as all balls though and the tank takes up half the boot. And if you run till empty it's a recovery job Edited by Palmers on Monday 23 March 16:23
As A to B transport, can't complain, costs about 35 quid to fill here.
I think you bought the wrong car in the first place & have since then driven it like you hate it!
I think if you'd bought an A3 TDI you might have been okay.
As long as you can fill the LPG easily near your home then it'll be the best of both worlds but you do lose a lot of boot space if you want a decent sized tank.
I think if you'd bought an A3 TDI you might have been okay.
As long as you can fill the LPG easily near your home then it'll be the best of both worlds but you do lose a lot of boot space if you want a decent sized tank.
Been doing some man manths! Lets say LPG is 60ppl, Petrol is 1.10 and diesel 1.20. That makes LPG £2.73 / gallon, Petrol £5 and diesel £5.50
Based on me doing 500 miles a month:
LPG (not including warm up)
30mpg - £45.50
20mpg - £68.25
15mpg - £91
DIESEL
50mpg - £55
40mpg - £68.75
PETROL
My S4 20mpg @ 200 miles a month = £50
If i want to be cheap then a little tiny eco converted LPG car would be cheaper, both to run and buy. But the running cost of a P38 or other big V8 wouldnt be too shoddy either (under 100 a month.)
Think i will be going down the LPG route. Just makes sense so i can enjoy driving my other car that isnt the S4!
Based on me doing 500 miles a month:
LPG (not including warm up)
30mpg - £45.50
20mpg - £68.25
15mpg - £91
DIESEL
50mpg - £55
40mpg - £68.75
PETROL
My S4 20mpg @ 200 miles a month = £50
If i want to be cheap then a little tiny eco converted LPG car would be cheaper, both to run and buy. But the running cost of a P38 or other big V8 wouldnt be too shoddy either (under 100 a month.)
Think i will be going down the LPG route. Just makes sense so i can enjoy driving my other car that isnt the S4!
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